4 Things About Trademark in Nigeria

1. 4 Things About Trademark in Nigeria A.A.Tejuoso & Co.

2. Intellectual property and rights protection In Nigeria, intellectual property and rights protection goes under the Copyright Act of 1988 which was revised in 1992 and 1999. This serves as the main enforcer for battles against piracy and copyright infringement. The Nigerian Copyright Commission, a division of the Ministry of Justice, is the one responsible for carrying out the aforementioned act. It is also the one handling needed and/or required amendments for further implementation and firmer penalties for violators. Under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Trademarks, Patents, and Designs Registry (TPDR) members, who have received training from the United States Patent and Trade Office, implement the Trademarks Act of 1965.

3. Trademark for business What is considered a trademark logo in Nigeria? A trademark logo is commonly known as the product’s respective image, mark, sign, and/or design that is recognizable enough to embody its company, brand, and at times, personality. Every trademark logo must be unique to a business or company and exists in the form of a physical mark. One such example is a company logo. Why is a trademark logo important in Nigeria? As much as a person’s nationality and identity is important, same goes for businesses in the marketplace. A trademark logo protects the company’s identity, or a specific brand identity in the business world.

4. Trademark for business Products reaching the consumers directly reflect the company business and consequently the sales. Having trademark logos ensures the customers that the products or services they buy or pay for are legitimately the company’s. It prevents loss of consumer patronage and confidence especially if similar brands are to exists in the market. What are the different kinds of trademark logos in Nigeria? Trademark logos can come in four types: • Images/Logos This is the most common form of submitted trademark logo application in the country. These do not include letters or any special characters. Companies must ensure that their image/logo be unique in the market. • Combination of letters and designs

5. Trademark for business This type utilizes designs and combinations of letters on the trademark logo. The best example of this kind is Kentucky Fried Chicken’s “Finger lickin’ good” beside its trademark logo (with the head and a bucket of fried chicken). • Slogans This is more common for advertising companies as trademark logos. As such type of products cannot be defined solely through images, a phrase or two is required. • Product pictures/ Shape of products This kind is the simplest form of a trademark logo as it uses the original photograph of the product to be sold or the silhouette/shape of their product.

6. Trademark for business How to handle trademark logo registration in Nigeria? All processes related to application and registration of trademark logos are to be handled in the trademark attorney Nigeria, Patents, and Designs Registry in Abuja, Nigeria. All filed applications submitted are to be reviewed by the administration and companies need to wait until further notice for the final decision.

7. The Royal Chambers, 23/29 Abibu Oki Street, P.O. Box: 8842, Lagos, Nigeria , Fax: +234 1 264 3025 , Shift Number: +234 1 264 3024, Email:lawyer@tejulaw.com